Erik ten Hag’s well-oiled team is getting some way to working like clockwork when every cog is ticking right.
None of United’s wins in their four-game league run prior to Sunday’s derby were smooth, but they showed that the team has players who can grind out results. A number of personnel have come to the fore since their calamitous starts against Brighton and Brentford.
One of those has been Diogo Dalot, the right-back producing the consistency many had longed for. His two assists - after last season’s blank - have shown what Ten Hag is asking of him this campaign.
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It was evident early into his tenure that the Dutchman wanted his full-backs to support the attack and many questioned whether Dalot had the capabilities to carry this out, but he’s proven to be a reliable asset.
United will have played nine games by the end of the month and fatigue is a real concern. Dalot will surely not be able to feature in every one and will need a break at some point - or the risk of injury becomes heightened.
And an issue to Dalot would present a problem for Ten Hag. Based on the Portuguese's form, Aaron Wan-Bissaka - the only backup right-back - would be a downgrade. Besides, United were offering him to other clubs during the summer which tells its own story.
The Englishman’s ability would be little concern in outings against the likes of Omonia and Sheriff in the Europa League but with Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea in the pipeline, it becomes a different picture.
United are stacked in options on the left side with Tyrell Malacia keeping out current England first choice Luke Shaw, but none could easily switch to the right, like a Joao Cancelo at Manchester City, and the current midfield options would not be able to fill in a la James Milner does for Liverpool.
Transfer talk from fans has consisted of who United may bring in as a long-term striker in January but the club desperately needs cover at right-back and that may be Ten Hag’s priority. They were in talks for Sergino Dest before he decided to switch to AC Milan from Barcelona, meaning he is off the market.
Another option might be Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries, who is a regular for the Netherlands as a wing-back and would be able to slot into Ten Hag’s system. With two-and-a-half years left on his contract, he may be costly but United can’t afford to go through a whole season with such thin options at right-back.
Ten Hag has done well to cover nearly all other areas of the pitch, which now includes three strikers vying for one spot without having signed a centre-forward. It may not be the sexy transfer fans want, but acquiring a challenger for Dalot is necessary.
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